Original scientific paper
Influence of Polymerization Light Intensity on the Degree of Conversion of Composite Materials (Part I)
Alena Knežević
Zrinka Tarle
Mira Ristić
Iva Alajbeg
Abstract
Degree of conversion of composite materials is an important factor that influences both quality and longevity of the composite restoration during polymerization. Besides the components of the composite material, degree of conversion is greatly influenced by properties of the light source and polymerization time. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of three polymerization modes of various intensities (medium, exponential and standard) of Elipar Trilight halogen curing (3M/ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) unit on samples of Tetric Ceram (Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and Filtek Z 250 (3M/ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) on the surface and at 2 mm depth. For determining the degree of conversion, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used. Results of the degree of conversion measurement showed the highest degree of conversion when using light source of highest intensity as well as a higher degree of conversion on the surface than at 2 mm depth regardless of the type of composite material and light intensity used for polymerization.
Keywords
composite materials; polymerization light source; degree of conversion
Hrčak ID:
9980
URI
Publication date:
15.1.2006.
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